Your Opinion: Single high school favored

Your Opinion: Single high school favored

February 17th, 2013by Geraldean McMillin, Jefferson City
in News

Dear Editor:

For some time now I have been considering the pros and cons of the upcoming bond issue on April 2. As I have discussed it with many other people I have been surprised at how many have not understood that the bond issue has nothing to do with the academy teaching structure. The only question to be decided by the bond issue is whether or not we want to build one or two high schools.

After a long careful study I have decided to vote yes for one school for the following reasons:

• I believe that one large facility is the best choice because it is the least expensive (especially since the sale of current facilities will reduce the overall cost); the money we borrow will be spent locally as local contractors will be used to build the new school; this will mean many new jobs followed by more to spend resulting in a significant boost for local businesses; if we vote yes now we can get a quicker start on providing a high school that will meet our needs far into the future and in addition we will get a new Southwest elementary school.

• Another reason is that when I moved to Jefferson City in 1956 I found a community dedicated to providing children with good schools. My three children were the beneficiaries of what other taxpayers had provided. Now it is my turn to take responsibility and help provide for our current students' future. Everyone with or without children owes it to the community.

Of course, no choice can be perfect. By definition choice means giving up something. Consequently, all our wants cannot be satisfied.

Nevertheless, I will vote yes for the bond issue on April 2 because I sincerely believe it is by far the best choice overall.